VirtualBox is a free, open-source virtualization software developed by Oracle that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single computer. It works by creating a virtual machine (VM) in which an entirely separate OS can be installed and run as though it were on its own physical machine.
Key features include:
- Cross-platform Support: VirtualBox can be installed on a variety of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris. It can also run a wide range of guest operating systems like different versions of Windows, Linux distributions, and even older OS platforms.
- Snapshot and Cloning: Users can take snapshots of their VMs to save the current state, which is helpful for experimenting with settings or applications. Cloning allows for the creation of an exact copy of a VM, useful for testing or backup purposes.
- Networking Options: VirtualBox provides multiple network modes, including NAT, bridged, and host-only, giving users flexibility in how their VMs interact with their network and the outside world.
- USB Device Support: VirtualBox allows USB devices to be passed through to the guest operating system, which can be useful for connecting hardware peripherals to a virtual environment.
- Seamless Mode: This feature allows windows from the guest OS to appear alongside the host OS’s windows, making it feel like both are running in the same environment.
- Guest Additions: Special software that improves the integration between the host and guest operating systems, enhancing performance and enabling features like shared folders, drag-and-drop file transfer, and clipboard sharing.
- Free and Open Source: VirtualBox is licensed under the GPL (General Public License), making it free to use and modify, with a large community contributing to its development.
VirtualBox is widely used for software testing, system administration, and development environments where running multiple OS environments simultaneously is beneficial.
